Yarrowia lipolytica is one of the most studied “non-conventional” yeast species capable of synthesizing a wide group of valuable metabolites, in particular lipases and other hydrolytic enzymes, microbial oil, citric acid, erythritol and γ-decalactone. Processes based on the yeast have GRAS status (“generally recognized as safe”) given by Food and Drug Administration. The majority of research communications regarding to Y. lipolytica claim that the yeast species is non-pathogenic. In spite of that, Y. lipolytica, like other fungal species, can cause infections in immunocompromised and critically ill patients. The yeast possess features that facilitate invasion of the host cell (particularly production of hydrolytic enzymes), as well as the protection of the own cells, such as biofilm formation. The aim of this study was to present well-known yeast species Y. lipolytica as a rare opportunistic fungal pathogen. Possible pathogenicity and epidemiology of this yeast species were discussed. Antifungal drugs susceptibility and increasing resistance to azoles in Y. lipolytica yeasts were also presented.

Phenolic acids are secondary plant metabolites belonging to polyphenol classes, widely spread throughout the plant kingdom. The name “phenolic acids”, in general, describes phenols that possess one carboxylic acid functionality and they could be divided into three major subclasses: hydroxybenzoic, hydroxycinnamic and hydroxyphenylacetic acids. The great interest in phenolic acids is associated with their high potential for food preservation (antioxidant and antimicrobial activity) and, last but not least, high therapeutic potential. The aim of this review is to summarise the current knowledge concerning phenolic acids and the topics discussed include natural sources of phenolic acids, biosynthesis and metabolism, health benefits of phenolic acids (first of all the antioxidant activity of dietary phenolics and also anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effect), their antimicrobial activity to selected groups of bacteria and fungi (yeasts) and structural modifications of the molecule especially those increasing lipophilicity and improving their solubility in lipids. Recent advances in the methods of enzymatic synthesis of phenolic acid derivatives are described and some conclusions referring to Structure-Property-Activity Relationships of phenolic acids, particularly important from the point of view of their pharmaceutical and nutritional applications, are discussed.

Microbial lipids called a sustainable alternative to traditional vegetable oils invariably capture the attention of researchers. In this study, the effect of limiting inorganic phosphorus (KH₂PO₄) and nitrogen ((NH₄)₂SO₄) sources in lipid-rich culture medium on the efficiency of cellular lipid biosynthesis by Y. lipolytica yeast has been investigated. In batch cultures, the carbon source was rapeseed waste post-frying oil (50 g/dm³). A significant relationship between the concentration of KH₂PO₄ and the amount of lipids accumulated has been revealed. In the shake-flask cultures, storage lipid yield was correlated with lower doses of phosphorus source in the medium. In bioreactor culture in mineral medium with (g/dm³) 3.0 KH₂PO₄ and 3.0 (NH₄)₂SO₄, the cellular lipid yield was 47.5% (w/w). Simultaneous limitation of both phosphorus and nitrogen sources promoted lipid accumulation in cells, but at the same time created unfavorable conditions for biomass growth (0.78 g_d.m./dm³). Increased phosphorus availability with limited cellular access to nitrogen resulted in higher biomass yields (7.45 g_d.m./dm³) than phosphorus limitation in a nitrogen-rich medium (4.56 g_d.m./dm³), with comparable lipid yields (30% and 32%). Regardless of the medium composition, the yeast preferentially accumulated oleic and linoleic acids as well as linolenic acid up to 8.89%. Further, it is crucial to determine the correlation between N/P molar ratios, biomass growth and efficient lipid accumulation. In particular, considering the contribution of phosphorus as a component of coenzymes in many metabolic pathways, including lipid biosynthesis and respiration processes, its importance as a factor in the cultivation of the oleaginous microorganisms was highlighted.

Background/Objectives: In the context of accelerating climate change and growing food insecurity, improving crop resilience to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, and cold is a critical agricultural and scientific challenge. Understanding the biochemical mechanisms that underlie plant stress responses is essential for developing resilient crop varieties This review aims to provide an integrative overview of how metabolomics can elucidate biochemical mechanisms underlying stress tolerance and guide the development of stress-resilient crops. Methods: We reviewed the recent literature on metabolomic studies addressing abiotic stress responses in various crop species, focusing on both targeted and untargeted approaches using platforms such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We also included emerging techniques such as capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry (CE-MS), ion mobility spectrometry (IMS-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and data-independent acquisition (DIA). Additionally, we discuss the integration of metabolomics with transcriptomics and physiological data to support system-level insights. Results: The reviewed studies identify common stress-responsive metabolites, including osmoprotectants, antioxidants, and signaling compounds, which are consistently linked to enhanced tolerance. Novel metabolic biomarkers and putative regulatory hubs are highlighted as potential targets for molecular breeding and bioengineering. We also address ongoing challenges related to data standardization and reproducibility across analytical platforms. Conclusions: Metabolomics is a valuable tool for advancing our understanding of plant abiotic stress responses. Its integration with other omics approaches and phenotypic analyses offers promising avenues for improving crop resilience and developing climate-adaptive agricultural strategies.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionize agriculture by enhancing genomic research and promoting sustainable crop improvement. AI systems integrate machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) with big data to identify complex patterns and relationships by analyzing vast genomic, phenotypic, and environmental datasets. This capability accelerates breeding cycles, improves predictive accuracy, and supports the development of climate-resilient, high-yielding crop varieties. Applications such as precision agriculture, automated phenotyping, predictive analytics, and early pest and disease detection demonstrate AI’s ability to optimize agricultural practices while promoting sustainability. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, including fragmented data sources, variability in phenotyping protocols, and data ownership concerns. Addressing these issues through standardized data integration frameworks, advanced analytical tools, and ethical AI practices will be critical for realizing AI’s full agricultural potential. This review provides a comprehensive overview of AI-powered genomic research, highlights the role of big data in training robust AI models, and explores ethical and technological considerations for sustainable agricultural practices.